Which item is essential for the successful deployment of changes to production?

The essential item for the successful deployment of changes to production is approval from stakeholders and successful test outcomes. Approval from stakeholders is crucial as it ensures that all parties involved have reviewed and accepted the changes being introduced. This agreement helps mitigate risks associated with the implementation of new features or updates in a production environment.

Successful test outcomes are equally important because they demonstrate that the changes work as intended and do not introduce any new issues. Rigorous testing ensures that any bugs or errors are resolved prior to going live, providing confidence that the deployment will go smoothly and meet the needs of the end-users.

While other options like a detailed project report, scheduled meetings, and finalized budget reviews are important components of project management, they do not directly ensure that the changes will be accepted or function correctly in a production setting. Without stakeholder approval and successful testing, a deployment could face significant challenges, rendering those other elements secondary in comparison.